Event Report

May 2019

Public broadcasting as main focus of study trip to Germany

Journalists and managers from public broadcasters in South East Europe visited Berlin and Hamburg from 6 to 10 May 2019.

Darija Fabijanić

The Media Programme South East Europe of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) organised in cooperation with the Domestic Programme Division of the KAS a study trip for journalists and managers from public broadcasters to Germany. In Berlin and Hamburg, the participants coming from the ten coun- tries targeted by the Media Programme gained insights into the functioning of public service media in Germany, the German media landscape as well as current aspects of domestic and foreign policy. In exchange with German colleagues, the group discussed the independence and financing of public service media, technological developments in the media sector and journalism education.

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Public service broadcasting plays an important gramme was brought up. Schulte-Kellinghaus role in the media landscape as it is often the first emphasised: "The Broadcasting Council does not source of information for citizens – at least in tell us what we should report on. It merely con- Germany. In a democratic society it is within the sults." This was confirmed the following morning responsibility of public service media to make by the Chairwoman of the rbb Broadcasting programme decisions which are beneficial for the Council, Pastor Friederike von Kirchbach: "We users, regardless of political or commercial con- do not interfere with their autonomy. We criticize siderations. But this is not the case everywhere in and commend in hindsight" the world. Not only public service media but the entire sector is facing major challenges – due to competitive, financial or political reasons. Since Germany is often considered point of orientation for South East Europe not only in terms of its political but also its journalistic work, the study visit to Berlin and Hamburg had the goal to intro- duce the German media system, in particular public service media.

First stop was the “Haus des Rund- Conversation with the members of the rbb Broadcasting funks” in Berlin Council Friederike von Kirchbach and Dieter Piekny.

The first part of the visit was the public broad- Dieter Piekny, Deputy Chairman of the Broad- caster for Berlin-Brandenburg (rbb). Hendrik casting Council and Chairman of the Programme Sittig, head of the KAS Media Programme, wel- Committee, also took part in the meeting. He comed the guests from South East Europe, pre- explained that the Broadcasting Council is only to sented the work of the Media Programme and a small extent filled with political representatives gave a short introduction on the topics of the and should represent a cross-section of the study visit. Afterwards, a discussion with the ARD population. That is why environmental organisa- General Secretary Dr Susanne Pfab took place. tions, churches, women's associations and many She gave a brief overview of the history of public other socially relevant organisations are sending service broadcasting in Germany and the struc- representatives to the 30-member Council. This ture of the ARD, the Working Group of Public mandate is linked to the clear order not to act on Broadcasters of the Federal Republic of Germany. behalf of the sending organisation but in the Pfab explained that the decentralized structure, interest of the population. the composition of supervisory bodies and the

funding through license fees contribute to politi- Day 2 was devoted to press freedom cal independence and enable the fulfillment of

the mandate. After a guided tour through the rbb building, the

next stop was the Federal Press Conference Dr Jan Schulte-Kellinghaus, Programme Direc- (“Bundespressekonferenz”). Chairman Dr Gregor tor at rbb, illustrated how television, radio pro- Mayntz explained the unique concept of the grammes and online editors work together and Federal Press Conference to the journalists from create joint projects. In terms of multimedia South East Europe – as it has nothing to do with work, the rbb is a pioneer in the ARD. During the the Federal Government or with the Federal conversation with participants, the topic of the Press Office. The Federal Press Conference is a influence of the broadcasting council on the pro-

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registered association of over 900 German jour- After a lunch with Daphne Wolter, Media Policy nalists who report full-time on federal politics. "In Officer at KAS, who introduced the German me- a country with press freedom why should the dia system to the participants, they went to the government decide who attends a government ZDF capital studio. After a brief tour of the televi- press conference and when it takes place?", sion studios, the group discussed the journalistic Mayntz provocatively asked, reminding the work from Berlin and about the EU with Shakun- guests of the journalists' role as watchdogs. tala Banerjee, Deputy Studio director and previ- Subsequently, the participants went to the State ously ZDF correspondent in Brussels. Ministry of Culture and Media to speak among others with Maren Hohensträter from the De- Part of the further programme was devoted to partment for International Media Cooperation. In foreign policy. Matthias Lüttenberg, Head of this talk, the distance of the state that makes the Unit for Central, Eastern and South East Europe work of media possible in the first place was once in the Federal Chancellery, emphasised the joint again emphasised. Other topics of the discussion were e.g. the work of Deutsche Welle, the Net- work Enforcement Act or the EU Directive on audiovisual media. In the evening there was a discussion with Gem- ma Pörzgen from Reporters without Borders about the global situation of press freedom and the current ranking of Reporters Without Bor- ders.

Political talks were also held

The third day of the trip was devoted to media legislation and politics. Prof Johannes Weber- Participants visiting the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and , media lawyer and professor of media law at ling having a lively discussion with Frank Priess. the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt

(Oder), explained the legal situation of the public uptake of EU accession talks with Albania and service media which is organised federally Northern Macedonia as a key goal of German through State Public Broadcasting Treaties. "In foreign policy in the Western Balkans. He also order to prevent governments from capturing gave some insights into the debates at the West- public service media, the Federal Constitutional ern Balkan Conference that took place a few days Court controls and corrects. Influence is thereby earlier in Berlin and was organised by the Federal rejected", said Weberling. Chancellery in cooperation with the French government. In the following conversation with Frank Priess, Deputy Head of the Department of European and Visit of NDR in Hamburg International Cooperation of the KAS, the group got to know the work of the foundation better; At the end of the trip, the group went to Ham- further topics were migration and demographic burg to visit the Northern German Broadcasting change as well as the preparations for the Euro- (NDR,) and the Tagesschau editorial office. Dis- pean elections in Germany. This resulted in an cussion partner was Dr Burkhard Nagel, Quality intense debate on current challenges in Europe, Manager at ARD-aktuell, who also led the tour including relations to the Western Balkans.

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through the editorial department. He talked welcomed the fact that she was able to broaden about the shift from linear to non-linear televi- her knowledge about public service broadcasting sion. For the Tagesschau, this ultimately meant and its challenges and said she was taking home that more editorial parts were added, namely many ideas for improving her own work and online and social media. However, he said that journalism education. This positive feedback television use has not declined. Other topics of motivates the KAS Media Programme South East the talk with Nagel included fact-checking, news Europe to continue organising such study visits creation and journalism education at the NDR. for journalists in the future in cooperation with the Domestic Programmes Division. The participants gave very positive feedback at the end of the journey. The Bosnian participant

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